Woodyanders
Loosely based on Vicki Lawrence's notoriously trashy country story song, this unexpectedly amiable and engrossing dramatic feature about ordinary small-time dreamers who aspire to greater things in life makes for a perfectly nice and affecting character-oriented slice-of-everyday-life affair, specifically centering on how going for the gold in life takes a lot of courage and determination. Dennis Quaid portrays his part with a winningly scruffy, roguish charm; he's a reckless ne'er-do-well womanizing hellion striving to make it big in Nashville as a country singer. Kristy McNichol is likewise on the money, radiating her usual spunky appeal as Quaid's headstrong, ambitious and highly precocious 16-year-old sister who acts as Quaid's manager and does her best to keep her wayward brother in line. The duo's major league plans go astray when Quaid runs afoul of belligerent sticksville town sheriff Don Stroud. Quaid, Stroud and McNicol all give fine performances, but it's Mark Hamill who takes the acting honors with his shockingly good turn as the decent, sympathetic state trooper who befriends McNicol and falls in love with her. Director Ronald F. Maxwell shows a lovely, uplifting sure feel for these hugely endearing commonplace individuals, depicting their mundane lives and go-for-the-glory aspirations without the slightest whiff of cheap sentiment or condescension. Moreover, the country music score totally cooks, with both Quaid and McNicol contributing a few surprisingly up-to-par tunes (yes, they both sing -- and extremely well, too!). Granted, this flick ain't without its flaws: the meandering opening third starts off pretty shaky and the tragic ending is abrupt and dissatisfying. But overall this unjustly overlooked picture rates as a real sleeper.
panther-28
This is by far my most favorite movie ever made. I await they day they bring this movie out on DVD! Please??????????Kristy McNichol was awesome and so was Dennis Quaid, they made a good sister/brother team. This movie inspired me in many aspects of my life. As I sit and watch the VHS, the quality wasn't all that great, but I like what the movie is about and what it stands for.Travis Child and Amanda Child set out for a career as a brother/sister team. Their trials and struggles as they set out to become a superstar team. Travis falls in love with a lady along the way, which causes trouble and well, the end of the movie is very sad.
TheRowdyMan
'Sex, action, humour, suspense and great songs!' is what the video jacket reads on this 1981 vehicle for McNichol. The first thing I was expecting when I placed the battered old VHS tape into the VCR was Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuise to show up with Loni Anderson. Well like those films there's bar room brawls, redneck humour and the handsome hero who finds time to chase a quick bit of T & A before they move on. Loosely based on the Reba Mcentire song of the same name, this movie is a bit more toned down than most of the southern redneck comedies of the early 80's, although there's still enough kitsch fun to make it worth the price of rental. Quaid and McNichol are pretty good in their roles and CAN sing, however Mark Hamill's 'performance' as Conrad, the deputy who tries the win the heart McNichol has to be seen to be believed. This charming little artifact is worth picking up as a double feature to something like 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982)' or 'Rhinestone (1984)'.
sassybrat35
i saw the night the lights went out in georgia in the 1980's - thought it was a great movie, good music, always wondered what happen to the movie, why you can't buy it hope to see it come available soon! very touching movie kristy and dennis did a great job acting and singing
AD
